Charlie was a gifted man with great passion, drive, an undeniable faith in God and a dream rivalled by few.  He and Grace were married for over 60 years and together they built an impressive cattle enterprise and a family deeply rooted in faith. Charlie will be remembered for his sharp mind, generosity, willingness to “get down in the trenches” and unpredictability. His ability to see situations from a different perspective and preparedness to act on his intuition was the backbone of the business for many years. He refused to be defined by his circumstances and returned to grow the business after a near fatal helicopter crash in 2001. Despite his paraplegia he was at the helm of his business for another 15 years and built a team of accomplished people around him. This enabled the business to flourish and thrive. It is an imposing legacy he has left his family, the Brahman breed and the cattle industry of Australia.

Born in Munduberra (Queensland) on 27 November 1937, Charlie was the firstborn of dairy farmers Charles Howard and Phoebe Ruth Lund. The birth of siblings Hazel, Alan and Joan completed the family.

It was 1942 and at 5 years old, grazing cattle on the newly acquired family property “Thalmera” (Dawson Valley) allowed Charlie to experience a whole new world of wonder which he embraced with heart and soul.  At this tender age he began dreaming of owning a beef cattle property. Charlie’s grandiose delusions amused his parents and peers.

Two generations working and living together on the one property can be challenging. Unfortunately, this was true for the families of Charles Lund (Senior) and his son Howard (Charles Lund Junior). It was with great sadness that Charlie’s family moved from Thalmera and returned to dairying at Barmoya in 1948. He was 11 years old and attended a formal school for the first time.

Charlie graduated from Gatton Agricultural College in 1953, aged 16. His parents put up a small guarantee against the dairy to assist Charlie purchase a small block at Milman where he tried his hand at farming small crops. He soon realised the venture was unprofitable and returned to the Dawson Valley as a fencing contractor.  

Charlie met Grace Edith Howland at a small Pentecostal church in Rockhampton. Charlie was not seen as a “sure thing” to provide for a family. He spoke of what he would achieve but had no “runs on the board”. Grace was prepared to take the risk and her mother finally gave consent to their marriage on the proviso he held a permanent job for 2 years. The things you do for LOVE!

On the 20^th June 1959 Charlie married his beautiful, petite bride. They were total opposites yet proved to be a formidable team with a capacity for hard work and dedication. Charlie’s 2 year commitment on the dairy was completed and during this time Margaret and John arrived.

Charlie constantly looked for an opportunity to return to the Dawson Valley and fulfil his dream. Although his parents were supportive, they had no financial reserves to give Charlie and Grace a “start”. A fuel company seeking to expand into Moura provided Charlie that opportunity. 1962 saw them build the garage at Moura. Fuel distribution, mechanics, freight, machinery, a café and Mazda dealership were all aspects of his business. By day he worked in the garage and by night he drove trucks.  Sleep was not a luxury he could afford as there was no “Plan B” or backup.    

Joy (1963) and Linda (1965) were born whilst in Moura completing the fourth generation of the Lund family.

A dream was fulfilled in 1966 when Charlie and Grace purchased Rathlyn, 3200 acres 15kms north west of Moura. Charlie’s parents moved to Rathlyn for several years to help develop the property. Charlie, Grace and family lived on Rathlyn from 1974 to 1979. A significant development of the dream was fulfilled in 1975 with the purchase of Friendly Hills (8000 acres of the beef property on which Charlie grew up). Many of the family were part of the two day cattle drove from Rathlyn to Friendly Hills. Charlie relished being back in the little cottage, though dilapidated by this time, and telling stories of his childhood.

Rathlyn Brahman stud was registered in March 1974 with 5 head. Charles recognised the potential impact of the Brahman bloodline. An appendix program with specially selected females from the commercial herd enabled the stud to grow quickly. Sires where sourced from Undee Stud and Stanley Park Stud. By the early 80’s Charlie was a regular attendee at the Tartrus/Lancefield sales and purchases included sires Tartrus Dario, Everest and Redmont. A half share in CMT Gaupo was also purchased. To this day the stud provides the bull power for the family’s commercial enterprises. The desire has always been to breed practical, fertile animals that capitalise on growth.

The purchase of Laglan Station (253 000 acres) in 1979 was a courageous move amidst drought and low cattle prices. Charlie and Grace relocated to Laglan in 1983 and oversaw the extensive timber clearing, water and fencing development and introduction of a Brahman herd. Charlie implemented practices he learned in the Dawson Valley at Laglan for which he was ridiculed. This scepticism only fuelled Charlie’s resolve. He was a true pioneer and relished in it. 

Charlie bought the plane he had dreamt of in 1979. John was his pilot for several years until he learnt himself in 1982. In 1983, he purchased PHU (his first helicopter) in preparation for the move to Laglan. Charlie (aged 45) and John learnt to fly in Moura prior to moving to Laglan. The helicopter added a whole new dimension to cattle management on Laglan. At the time, Charlie was the first in the district to own his own helicopter. Charlie loved flying and living life on the edge.

By age 45, Charles had achieved all his childhood dreams and more. His “bucket list” appeared complete. Not so! Charlie devised a new bucket list; to expand his land holdings and own 50 000 head of cattle!

Droughts, floods and fire are a part of life for a grazier and there were many.  Charles demonstrated his creativity most when his back was to the wall. His ability to see beyond what was in front of him and envision what could be was one of his greatest strengths.  He handled pressure like no other and loved having many balls in the air at any given time. Charlie was always thinking and preparing but never committing to a course of action until it was required.

The need for an alternate fattening strategy led Charlie to pursue feed lotting. Mid 1990, after bin feeding for several years at Laglan, he ventured south to find a commercial feedlot. Smithfield Feedlot near Proston proved to be the perfect option and a long and successful partnership was established. Initially station cattle were lot fed but Charlie discovered he had a love and knack for cattle trading. Saleyard and paddock cattle purchases boosted numbers for growing contracts with Coles, AMH, Kilcoy and Teys. At the peak, 13,500 head were on feed spread across multiple feedlots.

Catastrophe struck on the 26^th February 2001. Charles incurred spinal injuries when the helicopter he was piloting experienced mechanical failure and crashed. For weeks, family members sat with Charles wondering if he would live. The hospital tried to come to terms with a man that would NOT be separated from his phone. Despite their efforts he would only return to consciousness when his phone rang! 

 John and Fiona Lund, alongside Peter and Joy Newman stepped in to keep the business running. Charles focused on maximising his mobility once outside the hospital walls. With such a large enterprise to manage, it required an enormous effort by all involved. Charles had built a capable team of committed people within the business from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the feedlots in the South Burnett. Under John’s leadership a steady course was set and maintained. Both Charles and his business would survive and thrive.

With much determination, Charles returned to “take the reins” late 2001. Kirkton was purchased almost immediately and Charlie was back in the saddle again. John and Fiona returned to focus on their own business, whilst Peter and Joy remained to serve their business apprenticeship. Cattle buying became Charlie’s focus after the crash and he could be found most Fridays in the buying gallery at Gracemere Saleyards.

Charlie had a vision to market his beef and this became a reality in 2005 with the purchase of a commercial facility in Gracemere and the establishment of Laglan Premium Beef. Lot fed Laglan beef was processed at Biggenden Meats, boxed and delivered to the Gracemere facility. Initially marketed in carton lots a butchering department was later added as well as a pie making facility.

Charles continued to expand the business and adapt to an ever changing landscape, despite constant pain and limited mobility. Charles visited Laglan and Yarmina after his accident on several occasions. His amazing mind allowed him to visualise his properties nearly 20 years after his accident and have meaningful input into their development. Only weeks before his death, Charlie asked about a neighbourhood friend and queried the progress of a development project. Charlie always loved talking about the different aspects of his business.

Land Holdings

Rathlyn (1966 – 1979; 3200 ac) First official cattle property at Moura.

Friendly Hills (1975 – 1980; 8,000 ac) Part of the original Thalmera South where Charlie grew up.

Laglan Station (1979 – present; 253 000 ac) The jewel in the crown, Laglan’s resounding success was a springboard for all future purchases. Laglan remains in the family and is benefiting from the input of the next generation.

Beenboona  Station (1987 – present; 58,000 ac) The second property purchased on the Belyando River. Held by John since 1991.

Mittagong Station (1992 – 2006; 630,000 ac) Purchased as a breeder block in the gulf of Queensland. Mittagong was sold as part of a refocus in Central Queensland.

Tobermoray Station  (1993 – 2000; approx. 1,500,000 ac) A picturesque property on the Queensland & Northern Territory borders. Charlie saw its potential as a beef cattle property and a tourist destination. Distance from the other properties made it unviable.

St Albans (1999 – 2009; 90,000 ac) Neighboured Laglan and was incorporated into its management.

Yarmina Station (2000 – 2016; 60,000 ac) The third property purchased on the Belyando River, north of Laglan.  Used for growing and fattening store cattle with breeding introduced from 2009. 

Kirkton Station (2001 – 2004; 73,000 ac) Purchased as Charles re-established his command on the business after discharge from hospital.

Montania (2005 – 2017; 8,620 ac) Purchased as an investment close to Rockhampton.